SINGAPORE — Jennifer Aniston is probably best known for her role as Rachel Green in hit sitcom, Friends. But that show didn’t just propel her to stardom, it also gave birth to an iconic hairstyle.

“I remember when I signed up with a manager, she told me that I had to get my hair fixed, because it was a terrible length. It was not in a good condition. And that was when I met (hairdresser) Chris McMillan to chop my hair into the ‘Rachel’,” Aniston explained in a phone interview.

Aniston, who recently chopped off her much-loved locks in favour of a chic bob, is also the co-owner of Cambridge-based hair care brand Living Proof, which formulates products without any silicones, sulphates or oils, leaving tresses strengthened and clean for a longer period of time.

Her fantastic locks have garnered the admiration of many a plebe, but surprisingly, Aniston does not think of her hair as her favourite feature. “I feel very lucky I’ve got good hair but it’s taken its toll from all of the hard years on primping and blow drying and flat ironing and all that sort of stuff,” she said.

“But you know, (managing) my hair still takes work. I wish I were one of those girls who could just walk out of the shower and leave it wet and still look fabulous, but I’m just not.”

Q: How did you chance upon Living Proof?

A: They approached me about two-and-a-half years ago and sat me down and walked me through the product and how Living Proof became to be, and just talked me through all the discoveries they made at MIT. You know, Bob Langer, one of the scientists at MIT is just incredible, and he patented this molecule that replaced silicon in oils in shampoos and hair products. I used the products for a couple of months and thought it was fantastic and they also asked me to come on board in a more co-ownership kind of way. I just thought that (that) was so exciting to be a part of something new at its beginning stages. (Being) behind the scene is more interesting than just showing up on the day itself.

Q: Which was the first product you were introduced to?

A: The No Frizz shampoo and conditioner (S$32 each). That was my favourite and I couldn’t believe it. I went to North Carolina to shoot We Are The Millers in 100 per cent humidity and 100 degrees (Fahrenheit) and my hair does not react well. And it was incredible! It really, really, really was. I loved it! And Chris McMillan, my hairdresser, started to use it in his salon and all of his clients just fell in love with it. It’s a product that means what it says, which is so refreshing.

Q: How did it help with the frizziness?

A: I had a little thing that I wore on my head. You can tell the difference between if the hairdresser didn’t use Living Proof on that wig; it would be a completely different texture than my hair. The Satin Hair Serum (S$39) was also amazing; it was extremely helpful for frizzy hair.

Q: I can’t wait to try those products!

A: I know! You guys are just gonna love it! It’s so exciting. The Restore Mask Treatment (S$57) is also really fantastic that I use once a week. It’s a fabulous Sunday night ritual. I love it.

Q: How did Living Proof maintain your hair after you tried it, and how did it help you after you were done filming We Are The Millers?

A: The beautiful thing about Living Proof is that because it has no silicon or heavy oils, your hair lasts from washing to washing. So you can skip a day or two and avoid blow-drying and all of the wear and tear that washing your hair takes, and it allows it to grow and get stronger and healthier. The less you have to put heat on it, the better!

Q: Definitely. So is No Frizz your favourite product?

A: No Frizz is one of my favourites, depending on the weather. I love the Full (range). I also love, like I said, the Restore Mask, which is one of my other favourite, and the serum. And oh, the Flex Shaping Hairspray (S$39) is great!

Q: Why do you think it’s important to have a good set of tresses?

A: Oh! Because it makes us feel beautiful. When we have a good hair day, it just makes us feel beautiful, don’t you think?

Q: Totally. I mean, when I’m having a bad hair day, I will just tie up my hair and not let my hair down at all.

A: Yeah, I know. I like to do that just because it is easy (Laughs).

Q: So would you say then that your hair is your favourite feature?

A: My hair? No. I don’t have a favourite feature, honestly.

Q: How do you prepare your hair for the day ahead?

A: After I wash it — depending if I’m gonna let it dry naturally — I’ll put in the leave in conditioner or serum. If I’m gonna blow dry, it I have a big round brush and just start off by putting the heat through my hair on a low heat, and twisting it with my fingers and styling it like that.

Q: So I’m guessing you like to wear your hair natural?

A: I do! It’s better to leave your hair natural just because it saves it from the heat anyway.

Q: Would you ever shave or cut your hair really short for a role in a movie?

A: Ermmm, it depends on the role and the movie. I haven’t done it thus far, but you know, I’m not sure. We can work miracles with wigs now, so I kinda would try that route before I would actually shave my head.

Q: From young, have you always been obsessed with getting your hair in good shape?

A: No! Oh my god! I couldn’t have cared less when I was a kid. I dyed it (in) so many terrible colours, I cut it so many horrible different cuts. And then it wasn’t until I got to California that I started, you know, blow-drying or thinking about my hair, honestly. It was always a problem for me, it was always like a big goofy problem, so I would always do something drastic to distract from it.

Q: Do you remember a time when your hair was beyond your control?

A: Beyond my control? No. I was always able to wrangle it (Chuckles). But I do remember there was a moment when I went in there and got a haircut and sort of shaved half of it, and that was just the worst decision ever made.

Q: Oh no!

A: And, out of my control, it was just like “Alright, I’ve gotta just let this grow!”

Q: So it wasn’t until you arrived in California that made you sit up and take notice of your hair. So what sparked that change?

A: Well, because I started working, I started doing television and it was the first time that someone was actually doing my hair for me, you know, so you kinda became aware. And then I remember when I signed up with a manager, she told me that I had to get my hair fixed, because it was a terrible length. It was not in a good condition, and that was when I met Chris McMillan to chop my hair into the ‘Rachel’.

Q: Obviously, everyone remembers your hairstyle from Friends. Do you think your hair is more famous than you?

A: Hahaha! Ermmm, I hope not! (Laughs) Possible, but I hope not!

Q: Do you think your role as Rachel made you take notice of your hair?

A: Yeah! I did. I mean I didn’t pay more attention to it. I just took care of it because I was on a TV show and wanted it to look nice.

Q: Did your role as Rachel come with looking effortlessly good all the time?

A: Oh, effortless is never effortless! (Chuckles) It always takes a little bit of work. It’s a choice of mine to look more effortless than done up. I don’t (like looking) done up. It’s doesn’t work for me.

Q: How do you keep your hair in shape when you travel?

A: I just bring my Living Proof products with me. I have a little travel kit with my shampoos and conditioners and leave-ins and serums, and that’s what I do. I love it.

Q: Whose hair have you always admired?

A: Let me think (Pauses). I always love how Kate Moss’ hair looks. She’s got beautiful hair. And I also admire Gisele (Bundchen’s) hair, I think it’s beautiful. When I was a kid, I really liked Valerie Bertinelli’s hair.

Q: I really like those waves. I have naturally straight hair and I actually permed it to be wavy.

A: You did?

Q: I did. Which Living Proof product would you recommend for me?

A: Tell me about the quality of your hair again?

Q: My hair is permed, it’s chemically processed, and I have wavy hair right now.

A: Well, if it’s permed, is it frizzy permed or just curls?

Q: Just curls.

A: Oh! That sounds nice. I would probably use the Full Shampoo and Conditioner (S$32 each), and would use one of their leave-in conditioners that nourish your hair while it’s styling, and possibly the Amp2 Instant Texture Volumizer (S$32) for texture.

Q: Thanks Miss Aniston! Do you think it is essential to change your shampoo once in a while?

A: I think you have to. That’s what I used to think, but after using Living Proof for almost two years now, if there’s anything, I’ll go between the Frizz, to the Full, to the Restore.

Q: Do you have a hair care tip to share?

A: I would say that (using) the Restore Mask Treatment once a week is a game changer. I’d do that every Sunday night, like I said, (and) I love that. A coin size (dollop) is perfect. And I also think not washing your hair every day is important. And you won’t have to if you’re using these products. Well, the beauty of making your hair grow faster is not washing it every day. Therefore, you don’t have to blow dry it every day. One of the big sellers for me with these products was that my hair jumped! It literally just sort of grow because I didn’t have to wash it all the time and put heat on it all the time and style it all the time and it was able to take a break.

Q: Perhaps I’ll try that when I have a disastrous haircut. I didn’t know not washing your hair helps.

A: Yeah! Believe it or not, anytime you can avoid putting heat or anything on the hair, it allows it to grow. And also, trimming your hair once in a while.

Q: When you’re heading for a gala event, do you decide on your hairstyle first, or your outfit?

A: Outfit. Always outfit first.

Q: How would you describe your personal style?

A: Oh I would say jeans and a T-shirt. Casual, relaxed, always able to throw a blazer on, and dress it up.

Q: What’s essential in a woman’s wardrobe? Would a pair of jeans, T-shirt and nice blazer make it?

A: And a great scarf and a pair of wedges.

Q: What do you think perfects the outfit then? Would a nice pair of wedges do?

A: I think a nice pair of wedges (will do) if you want to add a little height and glam to it, or a high heel or high (cut) boots.

Q: What are you currently busy with?

A: I’m getting ready to shoot Horrible Bosses 2.

Q: Oh that’s awesome! I loved Horrible Bosses.

A: I know! So we’re doing a sequel to that. We’re very excited about it. It’s very fun, that’s all I can say. It’s a really funny movie, and it will hopefully blow the first one out of the water.

Living Proof is now available at all Sephora stores.